Book Review - Life Without Limits

I have watched clips of Nick Vujicic on YouTube and have always been inspired by his drive to live life to its fullest.  I was pleased to learn of his book, Life Without Limits.  In the book he goes into depth about his life, his struggles, and he explains his philosophy about why he lives his life the way he does.  His book is more than a feel-good book about motivation.  It is about finding God’s purpose for your life, even during the most difficult circumstances. 

Throughout the book Nick explains his philosophy about life.  He list several attributes that are needed to live without limits: “a powerful sense of purpose, hope so strong that it cannot be diminished, faith in God and the infinite possibilities, love and self-acceptance, attitude with altitude, a courageous spirit, willingness to change, a trusting heart, hunger for opportunities, the ability to assess risks and to laugh at life, and a mission to serve others first.”

Nick being born without arms and legs has had to overcome all kinds of odds in order to accomplish the things he has done in life.  He is not just a motivation speaker, but he is an example of how to live your life with purpose for God.  He encourages the reader to dream big and discover what God’s will is for your life.  Then not to let anything stand in your way of achieving what God has called you to do.  He states, “Your life cannot be limited any more than God’s love can be contained.”

I would highly recommend this book to anyone.  I especially think that this is a great book to be read by teenagers and young adults.  It would help them see life in a totally new perspective. 

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Book Review - Mere Churchianity

Mere Churchianity, by Michael Spencer (The Internet Monk) WaterBrook Press, 2010.

Do not read this book if you do not want to be challenged!!!  This book will challenge one’s traditional way of approaching and doing church.  Spencer does a great job of challenging the reader to analysis whether one is following the church or following Jesus.  He proves throughout the book that the two are not the same.  Spencer is very clear at the beginning of the book that his target audience is “those who have left the church or are leaving the church.”  I am not part of that target audience, but the book was very beneficial for me.  It opened my eyes to some of the mistakes that the church is making today.  It also reminded me that church is not about buildings, money, or large crowds, but about making disciples of Jesus.  Whether you are part of the target audience or not this book is a must read.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to discover how to be a genuine follower of Jesus.

At first, I was afraid that Spencer was going to land-blast the church throughout the book.  After reading the first few chapters I knew he was not land-blasting the church, but land-blasting false organized Christianity.  He asks the question, “If I spent three years with Jesus, how would I feel about…?”  He concludes that much of what the church today feels is important, would not be the things that Jesus would feel is important.

Spencer encourages the reader to capture “Jesus-shaped spirituality.”  Which is his way of talking deeper about: (1) Jesus, (2) Having a genuine experience of God, and (3) Figuring out how a life gets transformed.  Spencer’s goal is to help point people into a real relationship with Jesus.  He continually states what is important is one’s understanding of who Jesus really is.

Mere Churchianity is a call not for people to return to church, but to become genuine followers of Christ.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Book Review - Inside the Teenage Brain

As adults we have long forgotten what it was like to be a teenager.  We often have erased the memories of a rapid changing body and raging hormones.  Sheryl Feinstein in her book, Inside the Teenage Brain, does an excellent job of reminding us of the internal roller coaster that each person who passes through the teen years must endure. This is a must read for parents, school teachers, and anyone who works the teenagers.

Feinstein does an excellent job of presenting the facts of why teenagers behavior and think the way they do.  Her writing is supported with scientific research, however she does not lose the reader with a lot of jargon the reader cannot understand.

The first three chapters go into detail about the human brain and the phases of development.  Feinstein explains why teenagers act and think differently than adults.  Chapters 4 thru 11 covers the different topics and circumstances that teenagers and parents go thru.  After each topic, there is a section, What Should Parents Do, which gives the adult some ideas of how to interact with teenagers.  Feinstein does a great job of covering a variety of topics from dating to cell phones to dirty rooms.

A major theme throughout the book is that if the adult will attempt to understand the teenager and then communicate effectively, the two can have a much better productive relationship.

The only part of the book that I have reservations about is when Feinstein discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender behavior.  I would not agree with her approach on dealing with those two issues.  With that aside, I would highly recommend, Inside the Teenage Brain, as a must read for anyone who has or works with teenagers.

In Christ,

Pastor Greg

Sudoku - I Finally Did It

Yes, you heard me correctly.  Last week I completed my first sudoku puzzle (not just one sudoku puzzle, but almost 10 different puzzles).  For sometime now, I have thought it would be neat to sit down and actually complete a sudoku puzzle.  So, one of my goals last week was to finish a sudoku puzzle. 

If you are not familiar with sudoku.  Let me briefly explain.  There are 9 boxes and 9 rows.  You must use the numbers 1 through 9, but only once in each box and in each row.  Sounds simple enough.  Really it is not that difficult.  However, the puzzles can range from easy to extremely challenging.  Here is an example:

If sudoku is not hard to do, some may ask "why did you want to complete a puzzle?"  Better yet, "why do you feel the need to blog about it?"  The answer is to learn self-discipline.  You see I have picked-up and tried to do sudoku several times.  Each time I would get frustrated and give up when I made a mistake.  By setting a goal and sticking with it, I was able to accomplish the task.  I will admit the first one was a bit tricky, it took me several hours over the course of two days to complete it.  By the end of the week, I was able to complete a puzzle in around 5 minutes.

I learned the importance of sticking with something and focusing on the task at hand.  Image what we could accomplish if we set out to complete a certain task and focus on it.  Even today I was challenged with the thought of "what is it in my life that I am focused on that is bigger than me".  We should always have a major task that is bigger than ourselves that we are working on.

I know, sudoku is not a major task.  I know, sudoku is not bigger than me.  However, it took something simple to remind me that goals, focus, and perseverance are important.  Ever since high school I have said that I wanted to learn Spanish.  I think that it is time that I applied what I learned from sudoku and learn some Spanish.

What is it that you would like to complete?  Are you currently working on a task that is bigger than yourself?  If not, why not choose something to focus on today?  Remember to stick with it, perseverance is the key.

Tener un buen dia,

Pastor Greg

P.S. - I also learned sudoku can be addictive, now I have to learn self-discipline to not waste my time playing it all the time.  Did you know they even make sudoku toilet paper?  I think I need to buy some.

36

It is hard to believe that today I am 36 years old.  According to my research the average American male lives to be just over 75 years old.  Moses says in Psalm 90:10 that a person's life expectancy is between 70 and 80 years old.  We can not choose when we are going to die, just like we were not able to choose when we where born.  However, we can choose how we are going to live. 

I am pleased with the life I have lived so far.  Do not get me wrong, there are things that I wish I would have never done and some things that I wish I would have done (Sounds like Romans 7).  Over all I have a great life:  I had a great childhood, I know Christ as my Savior, I have a beautiful wife, I have two wonderful kids, and I have a job that I love (I pastor Carter's Baptist Church).

I know that life is a precious gift from God.  Everyday that He gives me the chance to live is a blessing, and I should live each day for Him.  I know that none of us is given a guarantee of tomorrow.  James 4:14 tells us that life is but a vapour, here one moment and gone the next.

That is why today, February 15, 2011, I hereby resolve to live each day as it is my last.  I resolve to seek God with all my heart.  I resolve to love my family more.  I resolve to enjoy the company of others.  I resolve to live life to it's fullest.  I resolve to have more fun.  I resolve to enjoy the little things in life. I resolve to worry and stress less. I resolve to help others.  I resolve to boldly proclaim the name of Christ.

I am going to choose to enjoy my life and live it to the fullest no matter how much time I have left here on earth.

Live Life on Purpose,

Pastor Greg

Why should I write a blog? Why should you bother to read it?

Welcome to my blog - "GREGARIOUS LIVING".   Gregarious is one of those English words that we do not use everyday, but really should.  I personally like the word because it begins with my name, GREG.  Dale Carnegie was right when he said that people enjoy hearing their name.  For that reason more people should use the word gregarious, in order that I could hear my name more.  Just joking.  I would like to share the meaning of gregarious: "instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others."  I do not know about you but I truly enjoy the company of others.  That is why I have entitled this blog, "GREGARIOUS LIVING".   I would like to have the opportunity of enjoying your company through the written word. 

Here are a couple of thoughts I have about this blog:
1) I plan on sharing with you some of my life experiences.  Some of them may be exciting, and some may be boring.  So, please do not stop reading just because you are not interested in one post.  Hopefully, as I write more you will find something that is interesting and exciting.
2) I do not plan on posting something new everyday.  However, I will attempt to keep the blog fresh and up to date. 
3)  I gladly invite you to take part in "GREGARIOUS LIVING".  The more comments that people leave the more impact this blog will have on others.  So, feel free to enjoy the company of others with me, as you share you comments, knowledge, and views.
4)  I understand that blogs are possibly nothing more than high-tech fads.  With that being said, I am not making a lifetime commitment to this blog.  We will see how it goes.  I will continue to post, as long as I find enjoyment in blogging.
5) My overall goal with this blog, is to share a little piece of my life with others.  I hope that others might learn something or be encouraged by my post.  As well I hope to learn from others as I attempt this journey.

And now for a few MAJOR disclaimers:

1) I am no English Major.  I am sure that you will find many English mistakes in my post.  Misspelled words, bad punctuation, the wrong word used, and an occasional incomplete sentence.  Please, accept my apology now.
2)  A certain amount of this process of being a blogger is for me.  To help me learn the discipline of writing.  I want to get better in this area, and the only way to get better is to practice.  So, thank you for allowing me the chance to get better.

Thank you for taking time to read: "GREGARIOUS LIVING".  I hope that you visit often.  Remember to always enjoy the company of others.  Go ahead and use the word, "gregarious" today.  Then when someone ask you what it means have them visit my blog.

Thanks,

Pastor Greg